Eli Manning is a guy who knows commitment. He played his entire 16-season career with just one team, New York Giants, where he led them two Super Bowl wins during that span.
But there’s another commitment in Manning’s life that’s just as impressive – and it has nothing to do with football.
For nearly 20 years, Manning has been a dedicated supporter of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a nonprofit that provides guide dogs to people with vision loss free of charge.
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His journey with Guiding Eyes for the Blind started back in the early 2000s, thanks to a family friend, Pat Browne Jr., one of the top blind golfers in the world and supporter of the organization. When Guiding Eyes was looking for a new celebrity spokesperson, Browne Jr. thought Manning would be a great fit.
“The impact these dogs had on people with vision loss — allowing for more independence, freedom, and the ability to live their lives more fully — was incredible,” Manning says after attending his first event. “From that point on, I came to events every year and joined the board of directors.”
Thomas Panek, CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind and who is also visually impaired, knows firsthand how life-changing these partnerships can be. His current guide dog, Ten, was named in honor of Eli’s iconic jersey number. For Panek, the ability to run marathons and travel independently with Ten isn’t just about mobility; it’s about freedom.
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“These dogs are incredible,” Panek says. “They’re capable of things people don’t even realize. We’re constantly discovering what they can do, and with each new challenge, they rise to the occasion.”
While Manning has helped Guiding Eyes with fundraisers, events, and raising awareness, the work isn’t done.
Currently, the nonprofit’s waiting list is two years for someone to be matched with a guide dog. The cost of training one of these dogs costs $50,000, as the organization covers everything, including vet bills and professional training.
“Every year, I hear more and more stories of the impact these guide dogs have, and I just want to raise more money to get more dogs out there,” Manning says.